20/03/2009 by admin.

I decided to write about ovulation kits today. There is such a huge choice of ovulation kits available now, that it can be quite confusing which one to go for.

What are ovulation test kits ?

They all work by testing urine for the presence of Luteinising Hormone (LH). LH is the hormone that is released just prior to ovulation and the ovulation test kits detect the LH surge.

This is great because it gives you prior warning of when you are going to ovulate. Research has shown that if you have intercourse just prior to ovulation the sperm are waiting for the egg and that this can increase the chances of conception. This also gives you opportunity to have intercourse on the 3-4 most fertile days of your cycle which again increases the chances of conceiving.

Urine LH test kits are not to be confused with other ovulation detectors that tell you that you have ovulated but do not give you prior notice (ie basal temperature monitoring and saliva ovulation microscopes)

What types of ovulation kits are there ?

There are 3 basics types of urine ovulation kit. They are midstream ovulation kits, cassette ovulation test kits, and ovulation test strips.

The midstream ovulation test kit is the most expensive type of kit. In a midstream ovulation test kit the strip is enclosed in a plastic casing and the user urinates directly on to ovulation tester.Advantages of the midstream test kits are that they are discreet. You do not need to collect a urine sample and they can be performed easily (by most women) in any toilet. Only fiddly bit for some can be directing the urine stream onto the tester without getting splashed with urine (I speak from experience-lol)

The urine is then absorbed by the test strip encased in the sampler and the result read after several minutes. Most tests are interpreted using the appearnace of two lines, except the digital ovulation test kits which give a definite yesy you have ovulated rather than two lines for you to interpret.

 Ovulation Test Cassette Kits are a mid price test. They are more complicated to use than the ovulation midstream or ovulation test strips, however there is less likelyhood of user error performing the test as you use a pipette to add exactly the correct quantitiy of urine. They are very popular with research labs or clinics performing multiple tests as they are highly accurate and give consistent results.

Ovulation Test Stips are the cheapest type of ovulation kits and for some the simplest. You simply dip the test strip into a fresh urine sample, and read the result, after the set time, by interpreting the appearance or not of two lines on the test strip.

Advantages to this type of ovulation test kit is that they are much cheaper to manufacture and therefore much cheaper to buy, although usually just as accurate. Disadvantages are that they require you to collect a urine sample into a container. If you are at work or out and about this is going to be trickier unless you have a very big handbag. If you are testing at work it may be simpler to use a midstream ovulation test kit !

My top tips for performing urine ovulation test kits

1) Always make sure you read the instruction for the ovulation test kit that you are using, before performing the test, as they do vary from test to test, and the time at which you read the result is of significance.

2) Use a timer if possible so you read the test at the correct time. This could be trickier if you are doing it in the toilet at work ! Some of those timers are very loud-lol

3) As you will be performing the ovulation tests over several days, try to perform the ovulation test at the same time each day

4) I have found that it is best not to have a drink for 2 hours before I perform a LH test

5) make sure the place you are performing the test is well lit-this helps in two ways-you can see what you are doing so the likelyhood of getting urine all over the floor or all over you is reduced, and it makes interpreting the test much easier if you can see it properly.

6) If you are testing over several months, it may be worth trying different type or brand of ovulation test kits each month until you find the one that suits your needs & your budget the best.

Posted in Ovulation, Ovulation Kits, LH Tests, LH Surge, Ovulation Prediction, Ovulation Tests | 1 Comment »

26/11/2008 by admin.

What sort of ovulation test is the First Response Home Ovulation Test ?

The First Response home ovulation test is a midstream urine ovulation test that works by measuring the concentration of Luteinising Hormone (LH) in your urine.

LH is always present in your urine and increases just before your most fertile day of the month. This increase, or ’surge’, in LH triggers ovulation which is the release of an egg from an ovary.

How does the First Response Ovulation test show the LH surge ?

The appearance of two easy-to-read purple lines in the test’s Result Window indicates your LH surge prior to ovulation.

What does the LH surge mean ?

Most women will ovulate within 24 to 36 hours after the LH surge is detected. Predicting ovulation in advance is important because the egg can be fertilised only 6 to 24 hours after ovulation. Your two most fertile days begin with the LH surge. You are most likely to become pregnant if you have intercourse within 24 to 36 hours after you detect your LH surge.

When do I do the First Response Ovulation Test ?

You may test at any time of the day, (you do not have to use first morning urine) but you should test at approximately the same time each day and reduce your liquid intake for 2 hours before testing, since drinking excessive amounts of liquids can dilute the LH in your urine.

To find out when to begin testing, determine the length of your normal cycle. The length of your cycle is from the beginning of one period to the beginning of the next. Count the first day of bleeding or spotting as day 1.

If your cycle is irregular, that is, if it varies by more than a few days each month, take the average number of days for the last 3 months. Use the chart included with the test to work out the day you should begin testing. The day you begin testing is listed below the number of days in your normal cycle. For example, looking at the chart, if your period normally begins every 28 days, you should begin testing 11 days from the beginning of your last period.

How do I do the First Response LH test ?

The First Response Ovulation Test is simple to use - just hold the test in your urine stream for a few seconds. You will soon see the purple colour moving across the Clear Top to indicate that the test is working. Look at the Result Window at 5 minutes to read your result. Follow the full instructions enclosed in the pack before carrying out the test.

When do I read the result ?

After 5 minutes, you can compare the test line to the reference line to read your result.

How accurate is the First Response Home Ovulation Test?

The FIRST RESPONSE Ovulation Test has been shown to be over 99% accurate** in laboratory testing. 60/60 non-surge and 40/40 surge clinical samples showed correct results. For diagnostic specificity and diagnostic sensitivity.

Click here to find out more or to buy First response Home Ovulation Tests

Posted in First Response, LH Tests, LH Surge, Ovulation Prediction, Ovulation Tests | 1 Comment »

29/10/2008 by admin.

How accurate is  the Clearblue fertility Monitor ?

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor was launched a couple of years ago under the Clearblue range of fertility products. The Clearblue fertility Monitor is 99% accurate at detecting the fertile period in each monthly cycle. It identifies peak and high fertility days to maximise the chance of conception and builds up a detailed picture of your unique hormone cycles.
The Clearblue fertility Monitor is unique in that it gives unmistakable results- the monitor interprets the results for you and displays these in words

Clearblue Fertility Monitor can maximise your chances of becoming pregnant by reliably indicating the days of your cycle when you are most likely to conceive.

Most home ovulation tests identify the 2 peak fertility days during a woman’s cycle by detecting the surge in luteinising hormone (LH) that triggers ovulation. The Clearblue Fertility Monitor not only shows these 2 peak fertility days, but ALSO identifies additional ‘high fertility days’ when you can conceive.

Is the Clearblue fertility Monitor suitable for me ?

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor is suitable for women whose natural cycle normally lasts between 21 and 42 days. The earliest you can begin to use the Monitor is the first day of your next cycle (but not before).

Certain medical conditions and medications can adversely affect the performance of the Clearblue Fertility Monitor. Women who have menopausal symptoms, polycystic ovarian syndrome, impaired liver or kidney function, are pregnant or have recently been pregnant (even if not carried to full term), may get misleading results.

Similarly misleading results may be obtained by women using antibiotics containing tetracyclines, hormonal treatments (e.g. hormonal contraception, hormone replacement therapy), fertility treatments containing human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) or Luteinising Hormone (LH), or any treatment that might affect their cycle. Clomiphene citrate may elevate estrogen levels and this may result in High Fertility being declared early in the cycle and more High Days being displayed, and in some cases the Monitor may not show Peak Fertility even when ovulation occurs.

The manufacturer recommend that women taking clomiphene citrate consult their doctor for advice before using the Clearblue Fertility Monitor. Always read the manufacturers instructions for any medication that you are taking before conducting a test.

Women who have recently been breastfeeding, using hormonal treatments (e.g. hormonal contraception, including emergency contraception, fertility treatments, hormone replacement therapy), or any other treatment that might affect their cycle, may wish to wait until they have at least two natural menstrual cycles in a row (each lasting 21-42 days), before using the Clearblue Fertility Monitor.

Women who have recently been pregnant (even if not carried to full term) may still have hCG in their bodies. HCG can adversely affect the performance of the Clearblue Fertility Monitor. Therefore they are advised to wait until they have had at least two natural menstrual cycles in a row (each lasting 21-42 days), before using the Clearblue Fertility Monitor.

How do I use the Clearblue Fertility  Monitor ?

The Clearblue fertility Monitor uses test sticks whci are available in packs of 20 tests.

On the first cycle 20 sticks will be used, and in subsequent cycles an average of 10 test sticks are used.

The majority of women will need 10 Test Sticks in each subsequent cycle. However, women with irregular or long cycles may have to use 20 Test Sticks each cycle in order to detect their most fertile time.

How does the Clearblue Fertility Monitor Predict my fertile time ?

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor detects the days in each cycle when you are most fertile, and are therefore more likely to get pregnant.

It monitors the hormones: estrogen and lutenising hormone (LH).

High estrogen is associated with the appearance of ‘fertile mucus’, which is thin and slippery. Sperm can swim more easily through this mucus and can survive in it for several days. If you make love during this time, there may still be sperm present several days later, when you release an egg. When the Clearblue Fertility Monitor detects a rise in estrogen, it displays High Fertility status.

A high estrogen level triggers the surge of LH. Ovulation normally occurs 24 to 36 hours after the LH surge when the follicle ruptures, releasing an egg. Detection of the LH surge indicates that you are about to release an egg, and you are at Peak Fertility.

Where can I buy the Clearblue Fertility Monitor ?

When buying the Clearblue Fertility Monitor make sure you also purchase test sticks and batteries as they are not included with the digital monitor pack.

Click here to Buy the Clearblue Fertility Monitor online from www.buyclearblue.co.uk  

The Clearblue fertility Monitor is also widely available in chemists & pharmacies.

Posted in LH Tests, Fertility Monitor, LH Surge, Ovulation Tests, Clearblue, Fertility Tests | 2 Comments »

26/10/2008 by admin.

Urine Ovulation Tests work by measuring the hormone LH  (leutenising hormone) in a urine sample.

What is LH I here you ask.

LH is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland in women of childbearing age. Each fertile month, LH surges or peaks and it it this sudden increase in the level of LH which is the trigger for the ovary to release the egg. After release the egg is able to be fertilised, so by detecting the sudden surge, women can estimate quite accurately when they are fertile in every cycle. This timing is used to maximise the chances of conception by millions of couples trying to concieve each year.

An LH test works by detecting the levels of LH in daily urine samples collected by the woman. Some LH is produced throughout the cycle, so the test cut off has to be set at a level which will only give a positive indicator or positive result, when the peak or surge has occured.

 The WHO (world health organisation) recommend 40 miu/ml urine LH for professional LH urine testing. For some women this level is too high and they never get a positive result. As a consequence most commercial home ovulation tests work to 25 or 30 miu/ml for a positive result.

Performing a home ovulation test is simple and easy. The best time to collect a urine sample for LH testing is probably early evening, as first morning samples can miss the surge in LH which occurs generally later in the day.

Sexual intercourse should be timed for the evening of the first positive result and for the following few days. This ensures the best chance of fertilisation and conception during that cycle.

Does an LH surge occur every cycle  ?  No, especially with increasing age LH can be erratic with one in four cycles missing a detectable surge.

LH surges in some women never result in a urinary peak of 25miu/ml These women may be ovulating normally, but urinary LH detection may not work for them. There is no way around this, and alternative fertility monitoring methods should be sought.

 The fact that a surge occurs is the important factor, not the length of the surge. Stop testing as soon as the surge is detected and save any unused tests for the next month.

Some LH tests cost serveral pounds each, but cheaper test strips are now widely available and branded reliable LH test offer highly accurate, low cost testing with professional levels of reliability.

 Click here to see a range of Home Urine Ovulation Tests (LH Tests)

Posted in LH Tests, LH Surge, Ovulation Prediction, Ovulation Tests | No Comments »